Welcome to the Youth Justice Committees of Ontario Website

The Youth Justice Committee program is an extrajudicial measures/sanctions program established under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Low risk offenders are eligible for referral to a Youth Justice Committee at police (pre-charge) or Crown (post-charge) discretion. 

Youth Justice Committees (YJCs) involve trained community members who meet with victims, young people between 12 and 17 alleged to have committed low-risk  offences and their parents to negotiate an appropriate way for the young person to make amends for his or her actions. YJCs are currently operating   throughout the province.

Youth Justice Committees bring together young people alleged to have committed low-risk offences, their parents, victims and trained volunteer members of the community to negotiate an appropriate way for the young person to make amends for his or her actions. Youth Justice Committees provide an increased role for victims and communities in dealing with minor offences committed by young persons who are prepared to be accountable.

Programs similar to Ontario's Youth Justice Committees are underway in Alberta, Manitoba, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, the Northwest Territories, Australia and New Zealand.

Establishment of a Youth Justice Committee Program

A Steering Committee of justice partners, chaired by the Crown Attorney oversees the development and operation of a local Youth Justice Committee program.

The Steering Committee chooses a community organization to provide administrative support for the local Youth Justice Committee program. The community organization recruits volunteers for the Youth Justice Committee.

Applicants for membership on the Youth Justice Committee are:

•             representative of the community;
•             subject to a criminal record check;
•             recommended for Ministry of Attorney General (“Ministry”) approval by the Steering Committee;
•             approved by the Ministry;
•             required to complete mandatory Ministry training;
•             required to take an oath of confidentiality.
•             subject to removal for inappropriate behaviour, such as a breach of confidentiality or non-disclosure of conflict of interest.

How Youth Justice Committees Work
 
The Youth Justice Committee program is an alternative to formal court proceedings. The committee, together with the young offender, his or her parents, and the victim if he or she wants to participate, work out an appropriate way for the offender to make amends for his or her actions through measures that must be completed by a young person within a prescribed period of time.

In order for an offender to be referred to a committee, he or she must be prepared to be accountable for his or her actions, be willing to participate in the program and be aware of his or her options and rights. Offenders who do not agree with, or comply with the measures, are returned to the formal court system.

Examples of Measures

Measures take into consideration the individual circumstances of the offence and the young person. An apology must be made in every case. Examples of measures include:

•             community service;
•             written project;
•             curfews;
•             paying back the victim and community;
•             voluntary participation in counselling programs, such as anger management
sessions; and
•             an agreement by the offender not to associate with a person or a group.

Eligible Offences Committed by Young Persons

Offences eligible for referral to a youth justice committee include:

•             theft, possession under $5,000 (for example, shoplifting, possession of stolen property or goods);
•             false pretences under $5,000 (for example, price switching);
•             mischief under $5,000 (for example, breaking a shop window);
•             causing a disturbance;
•             fraud under $5,000;
•             false statements under $5,000;
•             food, accommodation fraud.
•             property offences over $5,000;
•             giving a false name when arrested;
•             credit card offences; and
•             minor assaults (schoolyard scuffles, altercations and interpersonal conflicts).

Ineligible Offences

Offences such as the following are not eligible for referral to a Youth Justice Committee:

•             offences involving firearms;
•             any offence causing serious bodily harm; 
•             child abuse;
•             sexual offences;
•             murder, manslaughter, infanticide, and criminal negligence;
•             alcohol-related driving offences.

Sponsoring Ministries

The Ministry of the Attorney General is the lead ministry responsible for the establishment of the Youth Justice Committees.

The Youth Justice Committee Program is also supported by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services and the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services.

Thank you for visiting the Youth Justice Committee Ontario website. Please note: links to external sites are offered for the convenience of yjcontario.ca visitors. The Youth Justice Committees of Ontario do not accept liability for linked sites or their content. Not all sites linked to yjcontario.ca are available in French. Any specific comments or inquiries regarding those sites should be directed to the individual organization.